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Thank you for stopping by my site! My blog is where you'll see my latest images from weddings and portrait sessions, happenings around my home and even some posts about my life and family! Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest to stayup-to-date on my latest projects, news and all the events going on with TJP!

I’ve photographed a lot of weddings in my day, and through the years I’ve picked up lots of tips and tricks that I’ve shared here on the blog. But, there’s no better teacher than firsthand experience! In just a few weeks I’ll be getting married (yay!!), and I’ve learned a lot going through the wedding planning process. Today I wanted to share with you all my wedding planning tips and everything I’ve learned from planning my own wedding!

Have a weather backup

When starting the wedding planning process, the venue is usually one of the best places to start. If you plan on getting married outside, make sure to ask the venue about weather backup plans. I know it’s not fun to think about rain on your wedding day, but it’s better to know your options up front. Having a backup plan that you’re happy with could save you from a lot of stress leading up to your big day!

Inquire about free shuttle service

When looking for a hotel room block for your guests, do your research. A lot of hotels provide a complimentary shuttle service for wedding guests. This is a great option for your guests, as they won’t have to worry about driving home at the end of the night!

Create a timeline for yourself

Wedding Planning can sometimes feel overwhelming. Cut back on the stress by creating a general timeline and checklist of the things you want to accomplish each month. For example, I listed out specific tasks for each month leading up to the wedding. Items like “Select bridesmaid dresses,” “Select a DJ,” “Pay venue bill,” and “Order invitations.” This helped me stay on track, and it was super satisfying to cross things off my list every month! I honestly, think this is what has kept me sane. I’m currently less than 20 days from my wedding and all I need to do is pay the final bill at the venue and pick up my dress!

Create a timeline for friends and family

Along the same lines as my last wedding planning tip, create a timeline for the day of your wedding for friends and family. Not only will this help keep everyone on time, but it will give you peace of mind knowing everyone is on the same page.

Staying Organized

You’ll be getting a lot of forms from your various vendors. And I mean A LOT! Keep all these forms in one binder. You’ll definitely be going back to look at these forms numerous times with questions. If you want to take this a step further, create a special email address just for wedding planning. Then create folders for each vendor and file all email correspondences accordingly. This helped me stay organized and on top of emails throughout the process.

Enjoy the Process

Believe me, I totally understand that wedding planning can be stressful. Just remember that your day is about celebrating the love between you and your fiancé. When you’re planning with your loved ones, smile and soak in the moment.